Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
OSHA moves back vax-or-test deadline for private sector to Feb. 9
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration late Friday said it will extend the deadline for large businesses to comply with President Biden's vaccinate-or-test rule after a federal appeals court reinstated it. Published December 18, 2021
Feds slow-walk change in the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’
The Biden administration is resisting calls to update what it means to be "fully vaccinated," even though its own rhetoric and mounting data suggest an extra dose is needed to fight infection and the surging omicron variant of COVID-19. Published December 17, 2021
White House warns omicron will be dominant within weeks, bringing illness, death to unvaccinated
The Biden administration said Friday it expects omicron to become the dominant strain of the coronavirus within weeks and predicted the fallout will divide into two paths, causing mild cases among vaccinated-and-boosted Americans while the unvaccinated confront a winter of misery and death. Published December 17, 2021
Biden asks Supreme Court to reinstate vaccine mandate on health workers
President Biden wants the Supreme Court to reinstate his COVID-19 vaccine mandate on health workers who work at hospitals that receive federal funding. Published December 17, 2021
White House says Biden will win on Build Back Better as bill stumbles into 2022
President Biden will be victorious in getting his social welfare bill across the finish line, the White House said Friday despite signs the massive legislation will stumble into the new year without final passage. Published December 17, 2021
Dr. Fauci: Redefining fully vaccinated is on the table as boosters begin to be distributed
Redefining what it means to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is "on the table," Dr. Anthony Fauci said Friday, as the administration promotes a vaccine series, plus a booster, as the best way to protect against the coronavirus and its surging omicron variant. Published December 17, 2021
Biden pleads for wider vaccination amid omicron threat, warns unvaccinated of a deadly winter
President Biden told unvaccinated Americans on Thursday they face a winter of "severe illness and death" as he pleaded with Americans to use COVID-19 shots, including boosters, as a bulwark against the omicron variant. Published December 16, 2021
CDC panel recommends Pfizer, Moderna shots over J&J vaccine, citing rare blood-clotting side effect
COVID-19 vaccines that use messenger RNA are preferable to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday after reviewing data on an extremely rare but serious blood-clotting disorder linked to the J&J shot. Published December 16, 2021
Broadway struggles with COVID-19 surge; cancellations common
The winter spike in COVID-19 is exacting a heavy toll on Broadway, with top shows announcing cancellations due to cases among cast and crew. Published December 16, 2021
White House to companies: Hackers love to strike on holidays
The White House told companies to reset passwords, maintain IT staffing and patch vulnerabilities in their network in a Thursday memo that says hackers love to "lie in wait" for a holiday before attacking networks. Published December 16, 2021
France bans nonessential travel from the U.K., fearing omicron surge
France will ban nonessential travel from the U.K. on Saturday to try and slow the omicron variant that is surging on the other side of the English Channel. Published December 16, 2021
White House says no need to lock down amid omicron scare
The Biden administration said there isn't a need for lockdowns as the U.S. battles a coronavirus surge and the omicron variant threatens to romp through states in the coming weeks. Published December 15, 2021
NYC workplace vaccine mandate calls for fines up to $5K; de Blasio insists he’ll work with employers
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued an order Wednesday that says businesses will face fines that start at $1,000 and reach $5,000 per violation of his sweeping COVID-19 mandate that requires all private-sector employees to show proof of vaccination as of Dec. 27. Published December 15, 2021
Amtrak scales back COVID-19 vaccine mandate amid court order, fears of service cuts
Amtrak is backtracking on its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees after a court decision prompted it to reevaluate its policy and take steps to avoid service cuts the rules might have caused. Published December 15, 2021
NYC Mayor-elect Eric Adams selects Keechant Sewell to lead NYPD
New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams said Wednesday he will appoint Nassau County Chief of Detectives Keechant Sewell as the city's next police commissioner, making her the first woman to serve in the role. Published December 15, 2021
Georgetown University to require COVID-19 booster shots as of Jan. 21
Georgetown University said it will require people on campus to get a booster shot for COVID-19 by Jan. 21, a sign that some institutions will strengthen the definition of what it means to be fully protected by vaccines. Published December 15, 2021
FDA pick Robert Califf pledges to make COVID-19 task ‘No. 1’
Robert Califf promised Tuesday to "hit the ground running" if he is confirmed as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a role that he filled under President Obama but which has taken on new importance with the COVID-19 pandemic, a surging opioids crisis and alarming rates of teen vaping. Published December 14, 2021
Judge turns back another attempt to halt L.A. COVID vaccine mandate
A judge on Monday rejected the Los Angeles police union's bid to halt the city's COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Published December 14, 2021
Congressional leaders to hold a moment of silence as COVID-19 toll reaches 800K
Congressional leaders will hold a moment of silence on the U.S. Capitol steps late Tuesday as the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 nears 800,000. Published December 14, 2021
Pfizer: COVID-19 pills were 89% against hospitalization, death; fought back omicron in lab studies
A Pfizer pill for COVID-19 reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% compared to a placebo group, the company said Tuesday in final study results that are similar to initial findings. Pfizer also said its drug, Paxlovid, showed "robust antiviral activity" against the omicron variant in lab studies. Published December 14, 2021
